Whitmire compromises, campus-carry on to full Senate

A Houston Democrat who said just weeks ago said campus carry legislation was dead at the Capitol, citing the need of “cooling off period” after mass shootings in the country including at a Sandy Hook elementary school, said he has compromised with other lawmakers to pass a tapered version that allows schools to opt-out rather than fighting a tighter bill with no option for schools.

Sen. John Whitmire, chair of the Criminal Justice committee, which the campus carry bills must pass through, said he weighed the options and decided to give the softer version, HB 972, that passed the House earlier this month a committee hearing. He had denied the tighter Senate version, SB 182, which does not allow schools to opt-out.

“If we defeat this, more than likely if we are back in a special (session), we’ve been advised that a more stringent bill will be presented. In fact, I would suggest some of the proponents of (HB 972) might really prefer the Senate version, but they’ve compromised,” Whitmire said in the hearing to a witness opposing campus carry. ”If I told you one of them is going to become law, sooner or later, which one would you go for?”

“I hope we don’t have to make that choice,” said Frances Schenkkan, of Texas Gun Sense.

“Obviously, I’ve got to because we are having this hearing and its going to get to the Senate floor, in my judgment,” Whitmire responded. “What if you were sitting in my seat looking at the opportunity to pass this (opt-out) version and not having to consider the other version. What would you do? This legislative process is one of compromise. One of them, if it doesn’t pass in the next few weeks, could be offered in a special session – more time, fewer subjects, fewer rules – it may very well pass the one with no local option.”

Whitmire said since many administrators have publicly voiced opposition, including University of Texas at Austin President Bill Powers, most campuses will choose to opt-out if the bill including a local option is passed.

House Bill 972, also known as the Campus Personal Protection Act, allows students with CHL’s to tote pistols in classrooms with some provisions that prohibit certain areas on campuses, such as bars and hospitals. The bill also provides immunity from liability for the state and school.

The committee approved the bill on a 4-2 vote. The vote was cast down party lines, with Whitmire and Sen. Jose Rodriguez, D-El Paso, voting against.